WTF is wrong with my tongue!?!?!

At A Glance Author Tiffani Contact Vixen2Lust4@aol.com Artist Can't remember Studio Zebra Location Berkeley, CA

Okay, let me start out by saying that I am THE biggest wuss when it comes to needles, so for me to want this absolutely horrific-sounding procedure performed on MY delicate little tongue, was an experience w/in itself.

I'd contemplated getting this done about a thousand times, and everytime I thought about it, I would bite my tongue using as much pressure as I could stand, then I'd begin to wince w/ pain and I'd stop. That happened almost weekly for about 4 years. Then, this guy that I worked with got his done. For 3 days I didn't even know he had it. Someone mentioned it and he showed it to me. I asked him every question related to it and he assured me that it wouldn't hurt.

About 2 weeks later, my friend, Stephanie and I were talking about piercings and I told her how badly I wanted one. She said she wanted a tattoo or piercing and that she'd go with me and maybe even get her tongue done too. So, 4 the next 2 days, I went online and read as much about it as I could. I talked to people I knew and they recommended this place in Berkeley. So it was settled. Steph and I planned to go. That morning I woke up at 8 and we set out on our little journey. The place didn't open 'til 11, but by the time we got money, found the place and parked, it was already opened.

We were so nervous once inside the place, but as soon as we walked in a girl greeted us and asked what we wanted done. We told her and she told us to pick out jewelery. BTW, Steph chickened out of the tongue piercing thing. She decided on getting her belly button done instead, but it really didn't matter to me as long as she was willing to feel my pain!! =)Anyway, I picked glow-in-the-dark blue captive beads since blue is my favorite color. We paid (80 dollars for me) and we were on our way back to the little room. Once inside, the piercer told me to gargle w/ some mouthwash and come sit down. Once I sat down, she had me stick my tongue out and she put some white powder on it to mark the spot and had me check it w/ a mirror. It was cool, so she told me to stick my tongue out and she clamped it (that didn't hurt.) Then, she gave me a paper towel in case I drooled ( I didn't) and I grabbed Eric's hand w/ my right and by the time I was able to grab Steph's hand, the girl was done. I DIDN'T FEEL SHIT! She gave me a soda to drink, finished Steph's belly button (it looks hella cute!),went over aftercare and we left.

Day 1: I didn't eat anything. I was afraid 2 get food on the piercing. Tongue was a little swollen, but not very. Told my mom about it. She had a shit-fit.

Day 2: I went out 2 dinner and had pasta. I had to eat relatively slow, but I finished it all. No problem. Still a little swollen.

Day 3: OMG(OhMyGod) WTF(What the F**k) is wrong with my tongue. It looked HELLA nasty. Like I had an infection. People that saw it were grossed-out. So was I. So on my lunch hour, Steph and I went 2 this local tattoo and piercing place and I showed it to the lady there. She told me to take it out, it was infected, but I didn't. I went back to work, bought Listerine and vowed to nurse my tongue back to health. So for the next 2 days, I used so much listerine that my tongue changed colors. That was 3 days ago and my tongue looks HELLA good. I was scared shitless. I thought my tongue was gonna fall off. I'm glad I didn't listen to that dumb bitch. She would have cost me 80 bucks. Today it's been 6 days and all is well. The swelling went down after 3 days and it's healing quite nicely.

The main lessons here are: 1)Do it because u want it, not cuz other people have it. 2) Take at least 1 person w/ you who can drive AND who will hold your hand. 3) Rinse, Rinse, Rinse. Even if you're not eating something. Keep your mouth as clean as possible. I cleaned mine a lot, but obviously not as much as I should have. GLY-OXIDE is a must. 4) If you have doubts about the way it looks, call or visit the studio you were pierced at. They've probably heard it all. and most importantly, if you have doubts about the cleanliness of the studio ie. they don't use gloves, or remove the needle from a sealed bag, or if it just looks or SEEMS unsafe find another place. Ask around, most people will be happy to share their experiences w/ you. The palce I went was wonderful. I really recommend it. Sorry this is so long, and thank you for taking the time to read my *novel*, heh heh heh!

Feel free to email me with ANY questions you may have. I'll be more than happy to answer them.

HAPPY PIERCING!